French President Nicolas Sarkozy appealed Thursday to a Colombian rebel leader for the release of hostages including French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
Sarkozy said the fate of Betancourt was the most urgent since she was "in danger of dying."
"I solemnly request the release of Ingrid Betancourt," Sarkozy said.
Colombian radios aired the message that Sarkozy sent to the rebel leader Manuel Marulanda.
In his message, Sarkozy urged the rebel group to free hostages and offered to help in efforts to free Colombian hostages.
"I promise to redouble efforts, if that is desired, to contribute to finding a way out of the Colombian conflict." he added.
The French president also asked his Argentine counterpart Nestor Kirchner for support.
"To achieve my objective, I have the support of all French people. I also need your support," Sarkozy said in a letter to Kirchner.
Colombia invited Sarkozy earlier this week to take part in the hostage swap talks with FARC, after Colombian President Alvaro Uribe canceled the mediation effort by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez with the rebel group last month.
The group is holding hundreds of hostages, including Betancourt, who has French and Colombian citizenship and was kidnapped during her 2002 presidential campaign, and three American anti-drug contractors captured in 2003.
France has been very interested in Colombia's hostage crisis as the FARC hopes to exchange Betancourt for some 500 rebels held by the government.
Source: Xinhua
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